Second F-35 Production Jet Takes First Flight

AF-7, the second F-35 Lightning II production jet, takes off on its first flight Friday, March 4, from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base. The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant flew for 1.3 hours.

AF-7 is the second and final aircraft from Low Rate Initial Production lot 1. The first, AF-6, flew for the first time a week earlier. The two production jets and eleven preproduction F-35 test aircraft have completed 683 flights since testing began in December 2006.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently completed certification of the SMASH weapon sight, following a successful operational testing phase with an elite infantry battalion. SMASH dramatically improves the warfighter’s shooting accuracy and efficiency, even at long range, ensuring the first shot hits the intended target, even in high-stress conditions and following extensive physical effort. Using advanced image processing, the sight understands the situation to avoid misfire, friendly fire, and collateral damage.